I love chocolate mug cake made in the microwave. It is so simple to make and the cake turns out moist and delightful. Ready in just a few minutes too!
Mug or bowl cakes are so amazing. They are perfect for portion control as well. The cool thing is you can do it with any flavor of cake mix that you want. You only need 3 simple ingredients to make this fabulous chocolate mug cake. Also if you are allergic to eggs or just don’t eat them, that is okay, no eggs required.
Maybe you don’t like cake mixes and want to make it from scratch, I got you covered. You can make it either way.
If I can do it, you can do it. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Gather the ingredients and tools
In order to make this yummy chocolate mug cake you will need just 3 ingredients:
- Cake Mix – This will work with most cake mixes. (From scratch recipe listed below)
- Water – I like to use filtered water since my tap water tastes really bad.
- Oil – A number of different oils will work, vegetable, canola, etc.
Tools
- Mug or bowl (11/12 ounces for normal size)
- Fork
Step 2: How to make a chocolate mug cake
Whether you are making a mug cake or bowl cake the steps will be the same, it just depends on the size of your bowl or mug. Add the cake mix, water, and oil to the mug and then use a fork to mix the ingredients together.
There you have it, your cake batter is ready to go. Do not follow what it says on the back of the box. Most of the time the cake will call for eggs, but you don’t need them in this!
Step 3: Microwave that cake!
Now it is time to microwave that cake. Place the mug or bowl in the microwave. A small bowl will only take about 1 minute on high. A normal-sized mug will take 1 minute and 30 seconds to 1 minute and 45 seconds on high. This all depends on the wattage of your microwave. If you have multiple mugs or bowls, cook them one at a time.
Once it is done, poke it in the middle with a toothpick, if it comes out clean it is ready to go. The mug and bowl will be hot, let it stand for a few minutes before handling it.
Step 4: Add those toppings to your chocolate mug cake
Once the cakes have cooled. You can top them with whatever you like. Frosting, sprinkles, and powdered sugar are some of my favorites. Or you can certainly just eat them plain. Enjoy!
Chocolate Mug Cake
Equipment
- Mug or bowl
- Fork or small whisk
Ingredients
For a Mug (Full Sized Mug, 11/12 oz)
- 6 tbsp of cake mix use whatever cake mix you like
- 4 tbsp of water
- 2 tsp of canola or vegetable oil
For a Small Bowl (4/5 oz)
- 3 tbsp of cake mix
- 2 tbsp of water
- 1 tsp of canola oil or vegetable oil
From Scratch Chocolate cake recipe
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 4 tsp cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil or canola oil
- 2 tbsp water
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a mug or bowl combine the chocolate cake mix, water, and oil. Mix well with a fork.
- Microwave the mug for 1 minute 30 seconds to 1 minute 45 seconds. Check it with a toothpick, when it comes out clean it is ready.
- A small bowl measurement will take about 1 minute.
- Top with whatever you like such as, frosting, sprinkles, powdered sugar, etc.
Video
Notes
Do you like this recipe? Please give it a rating and comment down below, I really appreciate it. If you make it tag me on Instagram @inthekitchenwithmatt. Also, sign up for the newsletter so you won’t miss out on any of my new posts and recipes.
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I don’t know what happened, I did everything correctly and it tasted bad. And some of the mug cake isn’t even cooked! It also made my house smell like expired beans. some parts were good but the rest was gooey and disgusting.
Hello, maybe I can help you figure out what went wrong. Did you check the center of it with a toothpick to see if it was done? If you checked it and it is gooey you just cook it a little longer. There is no reason it should be gooey. It means you didn’t cook it long enough. Times will vary depending on the microwave. What watt microwave do you have?
Very good! My family had German chocolate mug cake this evening.
That is great, Belin! 🙂 🙂
Looks easy. But have a question. I saw a couple recipes where the chef under-cooked the chocolate mug cake which added a little bit of a “Lave Cake” type center. Will that work on this recipe? Or anyone else who may have under-cooked, please chime in! Thank you!
Hi There Cynthia! Sure you can intentionally undercook the mug cake if you want. 🙂 It might take a little practice in your microwave to get the time down for that.
Love this!!!!!! Thanks Matt!!!!!
Awesome, Machelle! I am so glad! You are so very welcome. 🙂
When you say full size mug do you mean 8 oz, 12 oz…?
Hi Norma! Great question, I probably should have clarified. Here in the States, the 11/12 oz mugs are considered normal or full size. I will make that note in the recipe. 🙂 :). Great catch!
Tried this just now and was simply good! Thanks a lot
Quick question, I’ve seen recipes adding milk instead of water. Will it make a big difference to the mug cake?
It will make it taste slightly different, but either work great. 🙂 So glad you gave it a try and liked it!
Oh my God this is a craving classic.
I mean, who haven’t done it? I have to do this one with chocolate and a little bit of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, this is so good.
Thank you, Jessica! A classic indeed. 🙂 🙂
I am going to try making this mug cake recipe for my kids and I am sure they will love it.
Awesome! Let me know how it turns out. 🙂
Do you think I could substitute ghee for some of the oil? It seems like it would be healthier.
Hi MaryLou, yes I think ghee would work great. 🙂
I love chocolate cupcakes! Putting it on a mug is a really great idea! Goota have to try this!
Awesome! 🙂 🙂
I thought it was too good to be true so I had to try it. It’s even better than I thought!
Awesome, Jessie!! 🙂 Glad you tried it and liked it!
Chocolate Mug Cake is one of my favorite desserts. It’s easy to do and kids love it! I’ll cook it on weekends!
Awesome! 🙂
This seems so quick and easy to try and a single serving of a cake in a mug seem so cute.
Thank you, Lavern! 🙂 And yes! A single serving in a mug is great for portion control especially if you live by yourself, like me. Lol. 🙂
I think my kids would love to make this chocolate mug cake. Thanks for the recipe!
You are welcome, Autumn! Yeah, I bet they would have a blast making it. 🙂
I used to make mug cakes all the time and loved them. I don’t have a microwave anymore though!!! Once it died I never bothered to get another one.
That is cool, Marie! 🙂 Yeah, they are fun to make for sure.
We have been making a lot of mug cakes lately! They are so easy and the perfect serving size.
Agreed!
Oh, I love mug cake. Your recipe looks simple and delicious.
Thank you, Steven!
Wow it looks so easy to make. Will go to the grocery now to buy some flour and cocoa powder
I know right? Super simple to make.
Now thats an easy one to make, even I can do that! Thanks!
You are very welcome, Ann!
why are mug cakes so popular? i think it’s probably because of how easy they are to make. thanks for giving us varities of sizes and shapes in your recipe. that’s very helpful. a small bowl might be easier than a cup.
Yep, that is exactly right, they are so easy to make, in just a few minutes, and it is great portion control! lol
This is the perfect little “me time” sweet treat after the kids have gone to bed. Love it!
Thanks, Jen! 🙂
This chocolate mug cake is rich and delicious and in a single serving.
Thank you, Laura! 🙂
These were fantastic and so much fun to make with my kids!
That is great, Stephanie! 🙂